More and more, I’m becoming a fan of skins for my iDevices. I like that they protect the products without adding extra bulk, I like that I can still use them with cases and holsters when necessary, and I like that they provide numerous options for me to customize my case with something beyond a color or pattern. MusicSkins and GelaSkins were quick to offer iPhone 4 designs, and I’ve had the chance to try them both out.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about the StealthArmor for iPhone 4, too.
GelaSkins for iPhone 4
GelaSkins ($14.95) is about artwork. You will find no licensed sports teams, bands, or TV shows here, just an impressive array of designs from over 100 artists, contemporary and classic. This is good, because in many instances, the designs seem tailored for use on tiny devices such as the iPhone 4.
For my test unit, I went with The Enamored Whale by Alberto Cerriteño. It’s not that I’m a fan of Alberto, per say, but that I just kind of dug that particular design for my iPhone. It does look good on it, helped by the fact that GelaSkins carries the design across the entire phone. You not only get the skin for the back, but for the sides and the top/bottom of the front as well.
In addition, they include a wallpaper you can download for your Lock and Home Screens, sized appropriately for the iPhone 4 960×640 pixel resolution.
The skins are fairly easy to apply, mainly because you can remove and reapply them repeatedly until you get the proper placement. I had no trouble with the back or front pieces, but oddly, the thinner side pieces took some work before I felt they were straight enough to leave in place. The only real problem I had here was with the cutouts for the camera, volume buttons and such, which always peeled up with the skin and were difficult to pop free.
As far as skins go, there are few sets as complete as what you get from GelaSkins. They offer complete protection from scratches and scuffs (only the edge top and bottom are exposed), and if you save your backing, you can remove them and use them again later (I tried this only once, so I can’t verify how many times this will work). You get the most for your money here, and with the wide number of artists available, you’re sure to find a design you like.
If not, you can always create your own.
MusicSkins
MusicSkins ($15.00) also allows you to create your own skin. If you’d rather access their library of designs, they also offer a collection of modern artists from which to choose. Their main focus, however, is on pop culture. As such, you can choose from bands, fashion models, cartoons, and even media outlets or the President of the United States. This is where you go when you want people to know you’re a big fan of Queen, for example, like I did.
The skin itself is comparable to that of the GelaSkins model, offering solid scratch protection in a format that can be easily applied and removed. However, you only receive the back skin here; nothing for the front or edges. This isn’t a deal breaker, but something to consider, especially seeing that the prices are about the same.
In addition, the matching graphic you can download to use as your wallpaper is only available in the old 480×320 resolution of the previous iPhone models. Not a big deal, since you can easily create your own matching wallpaper or just wait until MusicSkins upgrades theres, which I anticipate they will.
Although GelaSkins offers the better deal, it’s not significant enough to give MusicSkins a pass. The quality of the skins themselves is comparable, so I do recommend you check out MusicSkins to see if they’ve got a design you like more than what GelaSkins has to offer.
Stealth Armor
I’m not actually going to review the Stealth Armor for iPhone 4 (starting at $25), as we instead decided to give the review units away. (You did enter, right?) We recently ran reviews of Stealth Armor for iPad and Stealth Armor for iPhone 3G, so check those out for critical analysis of this skin. However, we want to make sure you’re aware of this option, as well.
The Stealth Armor is more rugged than what you get from GelaSkins and MusicSkins. The material used here was originally designed for race cars, after all. Do you need that for an iPhone? I suppose it depends upon whether you hold your phone out the window when racing home from work. But when it comes to protection, there’s no such thing as overkill. As with the GelaSkins, matching side covers are included.
The drawback to the increased strength is that getting it on your iPhone is more of a chore (it comes with a complete tool kit). Once you remove it, you’re done. Also, the designs are much more limited (woodgrain, leather, brushed aluminum, carbon fiber, etc.). They’re all quite sharp and professional looking, but you won’t be making a fashion/art statement with these.
Of course, aren’t you already doing that just by having an iPhone 4?
You should note that you can also "create your own skin" with Gelaskin as well, and they have a wide variety of different hardware their skins support.
I just got one for my iPhone 4 and my girlfriends 13" MBP. Amazing stuff. Great feel, actually protects, and the adhesive is great, leaves no residue!
I did note that, Andrew. Look at the last sentence of the GelaSkins portion. Link and everything.